Page 4

I briefly ran down the list of places in town, wondering if I had time to leave early and grab something new.

With that horrible new clothes smell. “Well, fuck, here we go, then.” I gave up on giving any more fucks and pulled on the first pair that looked the least abused.

With a plain white button-down I’d had to wear for a wedding a few years ago over my shoulders, I found the fine leather shoes I’d been forced to wear with the outfit and shoved those on my feet.

I hated them instantly, yearning for the comfort of my leather work boots.

“Hell, no wonder I don’t do this kind of shit.

” But then her pretty face popped into my mind, big round eyes filled with tears and wrenching my heart like a sad puppy.

It’d only taken one look at her hiding in that old phone booth to feel something stirring in me.

I paused, taking in the tiny crow’s feet at my eyes, the laugh lines that bracketed my easy smile.

I’d spent a lot of years working hard under the harsh rays of the sun.

It always made me laugh to think of the gym rats lying in tanning beds after a workout.

I had all the working out and natural tanning I could take.

“This is it.” I slid my hand around my damp hair, frowning when it spiked every which way stubbornly, before giving up altogether and heading out.

“I should probably stop at the shelter on the way home and pick myself out a dog,” I muttered under my breath as I locked the front door behind me and then angled for my truck.

“Better than talking to yourself, you idiot.” I yanked open the door of my truck, climbed in quickly, and turned the engine over.

Just a few minutes later, I was coasting the few blocks down the street and around the corner, easing into the parking lot of Miller’s.

I jumped out of the truck and slowed my steps, wondering for the first time all day what exactly I was going to say during this little coffee date.

I pulled out my phone, swiping through the screens, eager for any sort of distraction as my brain tried to convince me to turn and get the hell out of there.

But my heart pushed me—or more accurately, her hold on it pushed me —forward.

I puffed out a giant breath, about to step across the street, when the front door pushed open, breeze catching her ponytail before she locked eyes on me.

“Hey.” She waved halfheartedly, something close to regret seeming to overtake her features.

Christ, I probably should have turned around.

Just the fact that I was drawn to a girl prone to crying in dark parking lots probably meant she carried some baggage, but call me crazy, I was still interested.

“Evenin’,” was all I said. Her eyes brimmed with emotion, jaw clenched tightly before she opened the door again, backing up the way she’d come.

“So, I guess you want coffee?” I laughed, not sure what else to do.

“What I’d really like is a few shots of Jack to calm these damn nerves.

” “You? Nervous?” She looked back in disbelief.

I moved closer, following her back into the coffee shop.

It was empty. Everyone else had already gone home, and the closed sign was already flipped.

Guess it was good I’d left early. A minute later, and I would have missed her altogether.

“Truth? I’m nervous as fuck—and not over the coffee.

” Her eyes hung on me, weighted with meaning.

“Why?” I paused, realizing this was the reason I didn’t do this.

This “getting to know someone” thing was just about torture.

Life was better when I was the boss and no one around me ever asked why.

“Because…” I hovered at the door, eyes searching the small room before finally landing on hers.

“Because I haven’t dated anyone in ten years.

” She stifled a small laugh, eyes turning up as my most heart-wrenching dating moment up to now lightened the mood.

I chuckled with her, trying to put on the best charming smile I could muster.

“I just haven’t met anyone fascinating enough.

” “I’m pretty fascinating,” she said as she smiled, a really radiant smile.

I felt like I’d been blinded. I shrugged, glad that she seemed a little more comfortable now that I was basically a non-threat.

If that’s what it took to make her smile like that, I’d shame myself in front of her every day.

Her eyes brimmed with amusement before she gnawed on her bottom lip.

“Truth: if I have to smell espresso beans for another minute, I might barf all over those fancy shoes of yours. Maybe a short walk around the block instead?” A walk.

Or something. “I’m game for either of those things.

” I swung the door wide for her, and she breezed by me, her soft vanilla scent mixed with coffee beans and hope.

Anticipation ran red hot through my system.

She pulled out her phone, tapping out a quick message before her eyes met mine.

“I guess I should ask, who exactly am I going on a walk, or something, with?” I grinned, not wanting to be too forward and ask the same but dying to know her name.

“Name’s Arkin Broderick, founder and head foreman of Wilkins and Broderick Pile Driving and Construction.

” Her grin deepened. “For real? You’re a pile driver?

” I shrugged. “Most people prefer construction worker, but master pile driver fits the bill.” “That’s not a joke, is it?

” “Nope.” I grinned, enjoying the idea that she had a sense of humor once she warmed up.

“You can look it up, send the link to my website to your friend if you’d like.

I’m a man easily found. If I haven’t proven it yet, you’re safe with me…

” I trailed off, still waiting for her name.

She tipped her head, orange and pink splashes of evening sunshine sparkling off her hair and in her eyes like diamonds.

I stepped closer, eager to close a little more of the distance between us.

“If you don't mind, I'd like to know who I’m about to take this walk, or something, with.” Her smile faded, worry lacing her features and making my heart fall in a thud at my feet. “Daphne.” She bent her head, tapping out the rest of her message on her phone before hitting Send and shoving it into her purse. “Now I’m all yours, Arkin Broderick, Master Pile Driver.” Her dazzling smile returned as she teased, “Just don’t make me regret those words. ”

Arkin was kind. That was the first thing I’d ever noticed about him, and it threw me off balance.

This man was nothing like the guys who showed up at the bar.

He was thoughtful, polite, and had a self-deprecating sense of humor, which I found sweet.

It’d been years since I’d given a guy my number.

With my history, a romantic relationship was not something I ever thought I’d entertain again, but there was something about Arkin.

He seemed more like the leading man in a romance movie instead of a construction worker.

That was why I’d agreed to spend more time with him than just a ten-minute cup of coffee.

I really didn’t know much about dating, but my roommate, Molly, had always told me that a coffee date was the best way to go.

A coffee date could be cut short if the guy was a total creep.

Or it could be extended all the way into dinner if he had potential.

After a lot of thinking, I’d decided that Arkin had potential.

I wasn’t sure about potential for what, but he definitely had managed to charm me enough that I didn’t want to run off after ten minutes.

I knew he was safe, and that was my biggest concern.

He’d saved me last night, which made him most definitely not a predator.

“We’ve been walking in a circle for the last hour,” he said as we passed the same tree for the tenth time.

We’d been so lost in conversation that time had slipped away.

“Oh, I guess we have,” I whispered as I looked at our feet.

His shoes were ridiculous and way too fancy for anything in this town, but I appreciated the effort he went to, with the expensive Italian loafers.

He wasn’t the kind of man who wore lavish, European leather shoes.

My eyes slowly rode up his strong legs, examining his torn and stained jeans.

I smiled because that was more like it. Arkin seemed like the kind of guy who wore ripped and tattered jeans and worn white T-shirts.

He didn’t seem stuck-up or uppity but earthy and solid.

I guess that was one of the reasons I was so drawn to him.

“Did you borrow the shoes?” I uttered and then instantly wished I could take it back.

Here he was, saving me and being kind, and I was mocking him.

He took it well, though, with a smile. “Nah, these puppies are all mine. I had to wear them to a wedding.” I liked his smile.

It made his eyes crinkle and the blue in them dance with a little bit of mischief.

“Only the best for my first date in a decade,” he mocked himself, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

Silence hung between us a few beats. I could sense him searching for his next words.

“Well, Daphne, I’m a growing boy and about starved.

Could I interest you in a meal?” Just as I was about to say no, my treacherous stomach betrayed me with the sounds of starvation.

I’d never gotten to eat lunch today since the shop was so busy.

Arkin bent, peering into my face. “I think that was a yes.” He smiled again, and his ease and comfort made me little by little let down my steely resolve.

I nodded in agreement. “Perfect. I know just the place. I would offer to drive us, but I have a feeling you aren’t the type to get into the car of a guy you just met.

” “You would be right. What did you have in mind?” I asked, digging out my car keys.

“Do you know where Reggio’s is?” I looked at him, a little startled by his suggestion.

Reggio’s was a holein-the-wall Italian restaurant in town.

The place was a complete dive, but it had the best Italian food in the entire world.

I’d been going there since I was a little kid.

Whenever mom had a little extra money, she’d take me out and treat me to a giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

“Know it? I practically grew up there.” I smiled.

I was about to drool at just the thought of that delicious sauce.

“Great. They have the best sauce in town,” he stated matter-of-factly, his words full of conviction.

“Yeah, they do.” My heart spun excitedly in my chest. “Meet you there,” I said as I headed for my car.

“Hold up!” He followed me. “A gentleman would walk you to your car, and I’m tryin’ my best to be a gentleman here,” he joked, stopping beside me.

“Gentleman, huh?” I poked at him a little.

“Saving your life last night didn’t clue you in?

” I grinned, shaking my head. “Right, that naturally heroic thing you do so well.” “Heroic—I like the sound of that.” When we got to my car, he opened the door and let me get in.

Once I was settled, he leaned in close. And he smelled amazing.

As if my body couldn’t help itself, I leaned discreetly in and inhaled, hoping he didn’t notice.

The sly grin plastered on his face told me that he probably had.

“It’s just soap, Daphne. I’ll have to make a mental note to buy more.

” He winked, and a glance in the mirror showed me that my face had blushed to the shade of a ripened red tomato.

“See you at Reggio’s—let’s say twenty-five minutes?

” he asked. I just nodded, too mortified to say anything.

“This place is as good as it was when I was a kid. Reggio is a maestro.” Arkin patted his flat stomach.

“You came here as a child? Me too.” I couldn’t help wondering if the two of us could have crossed paths back then.

“Sure did. My siblings and I would eat until our stomachs ached,” he said with a smile, but this time there was no twinkle in his eyes, only sadness lurking there.

“Not fond memories?” I asked, sipping my coffee and then regretting my words as they sank in.

It wasn’t my place to pry into his past. Who knew what kind of childhood he’d had.

I knew better than anyone that not all parents were loving.

Not all childhood memories were worth saving.

“I just miss my sister.” His eyes trained out the window, he seemed to be lost in memories.

I knew that look too well. I’d been spending my entire adult life trying to escape my past. “I can’t believe you ate three servings.

Where do you put it all?” I tried to change the mood, offering him an escape from the dark or lonely place his mind had wandered off to.

“I’m a growing boy. What can I say?” He moved his gaze from the window to me.

“I’m impressed and disgusted.” He smiled at me, and once again I saw the light come back.

“So, can we now call this a date?” He leaned in, whispering to me across the table, “Cause I really want to do it again, but next time I’d like to pick you up and pay like my momma taught me.

” I found myself giggling at that way he had of lightening a mood instantly.

“Yes, I think I would like that.”